Richard Simpson is professor of special education at the University of Kansas (KU). Dr. Simpson's duties at KU have included roles of staff psychologist, teaching associate, assistant professor, project director, associate professor, professor, and chairperson for the Department of Special Education. He has directed numerous University of Kansas…

This current issues piece will explore how autobiographies written by people with autism can help identify sensory processing differences that might be viewed as possible attributes in an enabling society, but for which ableist perceptions are often negative. In concrete terms, these constructions may be preventing people from entering employment…

The mother of an autistic child shares 10 tips for traveling with a handicapped child. (DB)

This brief article presents the author's experiences with her three autistic children. She tells of how caring for her autistic children is a tough responsibility, but it has made her see things with new eyes and made her life better. Although her hands may be full, it is full of joy.

In this article, the mother of 5-year-old son with autism shares two essays that highlight her son's uniqueness and gifts. She discusses her feelings of coping with the diagnosis, her fear that he will be rejected by his peers, and her trepidation about taking her son to visit his grandparents. (CR)

In this article, a young adult with autism who is nonverbal shares poems that describe his feelings about autism, the symptoms of autism, and his likes and dislikes. (CR)

In this article, the mother of 12-year-old son with autism shares two stories that highlight how her son keeps her humble and how asking for help mutually benefits the giver and receiver. It discusses the need to tell people your needs and to invite them to participate in your life. (CR)

A case study of an autistic child (now a successfully employed graduate student and author of the article) whose parents and teachers capitalized on her fixations and compulsions by using them in learning activities illustrates how the needs of drive of autistic children can be redirected to motivate successful academic achievement. (CB)

The mother of a boy with autism recounts her family's experiences in child advocacy. She recalls various events in dealing with the service system and efforts to find appropriate resources. Current issues in collaboration are specifically addressed, including cooperation among groups and allocation of limited resources. (DB)

A father writes about his experience and emotional relationship with his son who has autism and developmental delays, emphasizing his love of his son and pride in his son's achievements. The exploration of new emotions as a first-time father and the father's unconditional love for his child are noted. (PB)

In this article, a man with autism and a woman dating him (who has two children with autism) describe their struggles and the wisdom that they have gained trying to maintain a relationship. Symptoms of autism, the love and commitment they share, and their hope for the future are discussed. (CR)

In this article, an adult with autism shares some of the stories of his childhood, including some humorous stories and some stories that are that are too painful to be funny. His experiences at school are recounted, including the bullying and teasing of other children and the rigidity of teachers. (CR)

A psychologist reflects on the lessons learned in working with children with autism, their families, and their schools: there is no way to predict child development, no child and no family go untouched by the diagnosis, and the feelings that parents have related to an initial diagnosis change over time. (CR)

A father tells about his son with autism, who is now 26 years old, and describes how his son differs from the portrait of autism presented by professionals. The lessons he learned from his son and how his son helped him to become a more loving person are discussed. (Author/CR)

In this article, a woman who has high-functioning autism discusses her early years, her struggles with finding appropriate employment and her faith. Her movement from Roman Catholicism to Orthodox Christian is recounted, along with the way her religion has helped her through the many trials and tribulations in her life. (CR)